Gaming machine and method for validating a voucher

Abstract

A method of validation of a voucher in a gaming machine includes receiving the voucher in the gaming machine from a user. The voucher includes first coded indicia having first identification data and value data. The voucher also includes second coded indicia being generally non-viewable and having second identification data. The method also includes reading the first coded indicia and decoding the first coded indicia to determine the first identification data and the value data. The method further includes reading the second coded indicia and decoding the second coded indicia to determine the second identification data. An algorithm is executed with a controller using at least one of the first identification data, the second identification data, and the value data to generate algorithm data. The method also includes validating the authenticity of the voucher with the controller using at least the algorithm data to determine if the voucher is authentic.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of validation of a voucher in a gaming machine, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving the voucher in the gaming machine from a user wherein the voucher includes first coded indicia having first identification data and value data representing a value of the voucher and second coded indicia having second identification data; 
 reading the first coded indicia disposed on the voucher; 
 decoding the first coded indicia to determine the first identification data and the value data; 
 reading the second coded indicia disposed on the voucher; 
 decoding the second coded indicia to determine the second identification data; 
 executing an algorithm with the gaming machine using operands consisting of the first identification data and the value data to generate algorithm data; 
 validating the authenticity of the voucher with the gaming machine using operands consisting of the algorithm data and the second identification data; and 
 crediting the gaming machine with the value of the voucher in response to the voucher being authentic, whereby the validation of the voucher and the transfer of value of the voucher to the gaming machine is performed by the gaming machine. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said step of validating the authenticity of the voucher is further defined as comparing the algorithm data to a predetermined value stored in the gaming machine and determining the voucher is authentic in response to the algorithm data and the predetermined value being equal to one another. 
     
     
       3. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first coded indicia is further defined as a barcode and said step of decoding the first coded indicia is further defined as decoding the barcode to determine the first identification data and the value data. 
     
     
       4. A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of retaining the voucher in the gaming machine in response to the voucher not being authentic. 
     
     
       5. A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of returning the voucher to the user in response to the algorithm value not equaling the predetermined value. 
     
     
       6. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first coded indicia further includes a player identification data representing a unique user. 
     
     
       7. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first coded indicia further includes date/time data representing at least one of valid dates and valid times for use of the voucher. 
     
     
       8. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first coded indicia further includes casino identification data representing one or more gaming facilities. 
     
     
       9. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first coded indicia further includes gaming device type data representing at least one of a brand of gaming machine, a denomination of gaming machine, and a type of gaming machine. 
     
     
       10. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the value credited to the gaming machine is of a non-cashable type. 
     
     
       11. A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the value credited to the gaming machine is of a non-transferrable type. 
     
     
       12. A method of validation of a voucher in a gaming machine, said method comprising the steps of:
 receiving the voucher in the gaming machine from a user wherein the voucher includes first coded indicia having first identification data and value data representing a value of the voucher and second coded indicia having second identification data; 
 reading the first coded indicia disposed on the voucher; 
 decoding the first coded indicia to determine the first identification data and the value data; 
 reading the second coded indicia disposed on the voucher; 
 decoding the second coded indicia to determine the second identification data; 
 executing an algorithm with the gaming machine using operands consisting of the first identification data and the value data to generate algorithm data; 
 validating the authenticity of the voucher in the gaming machine using at least the algorithm data to determine if the voucher is authentic; and 
 crediting the gaming machine with the value of the voucher in response to the voucher being authentic wherein said step of validating the authenticity of the voucher is further defined as comparing the algorithm data to the second identification data and determining the voucher is authentic in response to the algorithm data and the second identification data being equal to one another, whereby the validation of the voucher and the transfer of value of the voucher to the gaming machine is performed in the gaming machine. 
 
     
     
       13. A gaming machine comprising:
 a credit register configured to store a value of playable credits; 
 a voucher receipt unit configured to receive a voucher, the voucher including:
 first coded indicia having first identification data and value data representing a value of the voucher; and 
 second coded indicia having second identification data representing at least one of the first identification data and the value data; 
 
 at least one reading apparatus configured to read the first coded indicia and the second coded indicia disposed on the voucher; 
 a gaming machine controller positioned within the gaming machine and configured to:
 decode the first coded indicia to determine first identification data and value data; 
 decode the second coded indicia to determine second identification data; 
 execute an algorithm using operands consisting of the first identification data and the value data to generate algorithm data; 
 validate the authenticity of the voucher using operands consisting of the algorithm data and the second identification data to determine if the voucher is authentic, and 
 credit the credit register with the value of the voucher in response to the voucher being authentic, whereby the validation of the voucher and the transfer of value of the voucher to the gaming machine is performed by the gaming machine controller. 
 
 
     
     
       14. A gaming machine as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said at least one reading apparatus is further defined as barcode scanner. 
     
     
       15. A gaming machine as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said at least one reading apparatus is further defined as an optical scanner.